Reading machine



Sept. 8, l1931. A B, A FlsKE 1,822,651

READING MACHI NE Filed sept. 25, 1927 llllllh `VENTOR @t V4 VWL@ y BY.

Patented Sept. A8, 1931 UNITED STATES BRADLEY A. FrsxE, or NEW Yonx, N. Y.

READING MACHINE `Application led September 23, 1927. Serial No. 221,598.

My invention relates to improvements in reading machines intended especially for use in the reading of 'printed matter, the characters of which are of small size, but which may obviously be used for any other desired purpose, such as for examining textiles, engravings, etc.

. My improved reading machine is intended for use in any position in which the book, page, sheet, or other surface is to be read or examined. It is strong and durable and eX- tremely simple of operation. -My improved reading machine possesses the practical advantage that'the focussing can be effected with speed and accuracy, and, at the same time, the lens or magnifying glass when once focussed will not tend to move out of the adjusted position. With reading machines as heretofore proposed various schemes have been suggested for effecting the focussing of the lens or glass. Adjusting screws 1nave been proposed, but these are slow in operation. Other arrangement-s involve the frictional mounting of the lens or glass, so that when focussing is to be done suicient force is required to be applied in moving the glass or lens as to overcome the frictional resistance, which latter must be sufficient to hold the lens or glass against movement when once adjusted. These'latter arrangements are unsatisfactory, not only because under the effect of wear the frictional mounting ceases to function properly, but also because it is difficult to accurately adjust the lens or glass to the required exact position. The principal object of the present invention is to provide a reading machine of a new type, in which the focussing of the lens or glass is effected by a` direct movement substantially without friction and involving no tensioning of springs, and when the lens or glass has been adjusted to the desired position itremains stationary tliereat. regardless of the position in which the machine'may be placed during its use.` i

In order that the invention may be better understood,vattention is directed to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal view of my iml proved reading machine in its preferred form;

Figure 2 a cross sectionalview on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; .l

Figure 3 a sectional view on the line 3,-3. 55 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 a detail sectional view illustrating the use of a counterbalancing spring.

In'the several views corresponding parts are represented by the same numerals.

The base l is made preferably 0f sheet metal and is adapted to be'placed flat against the book, sheet, or other surface that is to be read or examined. The base l is provided with twoupturne'd sides or ears, between 65 which extends a shaft or pivot 3. Mounted upon the latter is a lever 4 held centrally on the shaft by two sleeves 5, 5. The forward end of the base 1 is bent up at right angles to form a member 6, as shown. A right angle bracket 7 is movable upand down in front of and with respect to the member 6, and the horizontal member of this bracket carries a suitable lens or magnifying glass 8. A sleeve 9 maintains the bracket 7 in position on the 75 face of the member 6, and at the same time allows the bracket to be adjusted with respect to the matter to be read or examined during the focussing operation. This sleeve 9 may be secured either to the member 6 or to the 80 vertical limb of the bracket 7, the latter arrangement being shown.

The forward end of the lever 4 passes through an opening 10 in the lower portion of the bracket 7 and saidleverl Works in a slot 85 11 in the member 6, as shown. Adjustable weight 12 is carried on the opposite end of lever .4, which Weight will be adjusted so as to exactly counterbalance the bracket 7 carrying the lens or magnifying glass. In other words, the adjustment of this weight will bring the pivot 3 at or very near the center of gravity of tlie moving parts. Because of this fact the lenswhen once adjusted, remains undisturbed, regardless of the position in which the reading machine may be placed during its operation.

There'is unavoidably very small friction, due to the engagement of the bracket 7 with the forward` face of the 'member 6 and the 1nn sliding of the sleeve 9 on the member 6. This small friction increases the stability of the lens when once adjusted, but the friction is so slight as not to interfere with accurate focussing.4 As a matter of fact, with my improved reading machine, the focussing of the lens or glass is effected by the merest touch of the finger on bracket 7 either to move it up or down.

While I prefer in practice to make use of a counterbalanc'ing weight, as this enables me to use the instrument effectively in any desired position, yet when the device is to be employed horizontally a counterbalancing spring may be made use of. Such arrangement is shown in Figure 4. Here the lever 4 is provided beyond the pivot 3 with an off set portion 13 and a spring 14 stretched bctween said offset portion and the base 1. In this Way a spring of substantial length may be made use of. the tension of which will be relatively unaffected by the adjustment of the lens or glass, since the spring is located close to the pivot 3.

IVhen such a spring is used, care should be taken not to subject the machine to sudden shocks which might tend by momentum to throw the glass or lens beyond the point of adjustment.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. In a reading machine, the combination with a base having upturned sides and a lever pivoted between said sides, said lever being pivoted substantially at the centre ofgravity, of a bracket supported by said lever, and a lens or glass carried by said bracket whereby the lens or gla'ss will be maintained in any position of focal adjustment, substantially as set forth.

2. In a reading machine, the combination with a base having an upturned forward end and upturned sides, and a counterbalancing lever pivoted between said sides substantially at the centre of gravity, of a bracket slidably mounted upon the upturned end of the base, said bracket being supported by the counter# balancing lever, and a lens or glass carried by said bracket whereby the lens or glass will be maintained in any position of focal adjustment, substantially as set forth. j

\ 3. In a reading machine, the combination of a base, a upstanding portion of said base, a lens or g ass, means slidably mounting the lens or glass on the upstanding portion of the base, gravity means for counterbalancing the lens or glass, a structural connection between the gravity means andthe lens supporting means. and frictional means cooperating with said connection to maintain the lens or glass in any position of focal adjustment.

f1. In a reading machine the combination with a suitable base and a'counterbalaneing lever mounted thereon, of a lens or glass supported by said lever so as to be counterbalanced by gravity and means forV adjusting said lens or glass'with respect to the base.

BRADLEY A. FISKE. 

